Hydrocephalus ― What Do We Know? and What Do We Still Not Know?

This book provides the reader with a well-structured, comprehensive approach to hydrocephalus and related syndromes. It also addresses the ethical dilemmas of managing hydrocephalus, of which many neurosurgeons are unaware, and presents cutting-edge research genetic and pathophysiology research on hydrocephalus. The book presents a new classification for the Dandy Walker syndrome, based on a new understanding of different hydrocephalic problems. Further, it puts forward a wholly new theory on the pathophysiology and development of multiloculated hydrocephalus. This book helps the reader to devise a long-term strategic plan to treat patients, based on research of favorable long-term outcomes of hydrocephalus. It uniquely provides evidence-based approaches to managing hydrocephalus, presenting the experience and thoughts of renowned and highly experienced neurosurgeons from the USA, Canada, Japan, Europe and the Middle East.

Ahmed Ammar, MBChB, DMSc, FICS, FACS, has been a Professor and Consultant Neurosurgeon at the KFHU, Dammam University since 1987. He graduated from the Medical School in 1977 and started his Neurosurgery training program at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden in 1979. He subsequently moved to Japan’s Shinshu University, where he completed his doctorate in Neurosurgery in 1984. This was followed by a fellowship at the Dept. of Neurosurgery, Pittsburgh University, USA, in 1989.

He wrote the first Head Trauma Protocol for MOH, SA 2013, and has published over 100 manuscripts in international journals and chapters in 7 books. He was editor of the book “Ethics in Neurosurgery Practice,” published by Springer in 2014.

Prof. Ammar has a special interest in pediatric neurosurgery. His current scientific research focuses on the long-term outcomes of mild head trauma (in progress), the long-term outcomes of hydrocephalus (finished) and the Wide Genome for Epilepsy (in progress). He has also designed and patented four neurosurgical instruments and been recognized with the following awards: the Life Time Achievement in Medicine/ Neurosurgery Award, Venous International Foundation, 2016, Walter E Dandy Neurosurgical International Society Award, 2015, Saudi Neurosurgical Society Medal of Appreciation 2014, and the Saud Neuroscience Society Appreciation Award 2009.